Advice on selecting and changing in tank fuel pump/sender, Diesel

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Jerseyp38

Active Member
Posts
240
Hi All,

My slow starting problems have been getting worse and chnging the glow plugs made no difference. So having search and read have decided to tckle the in tank fuel pump. There is a non-return valve near the filter with bits of tube and clips so have decided to leave that alone and grasp the nettle and get on with the big job.

My questions are:
1) Which unit do I select they seem to fall in four price ranges £48, £80, £125 and £217. How much should I spend? She is a 95 with 130K miles but I hope I can keep her going for a few years, used daily but only do 6k to 8K per year on Jersey/in France.

2) Do I need to get the olives and nuts with the unit or would a good marine engineer have the nuts and olives? Any idea what size?

3) Cut a hole or remove the tank? I like to try and do things properly but need to be able to do it by myself on the drive. Have found the thread with the dimensions and found an explanation from range rover solutions for removing the tank.

Just a passing comment I do have the hot fix bodge but in reading the pump issue up have found out about adjusting timing on the pump.....

Thoughts and comments please.
 
First thing to do is a fuel flow test to see if your pump output is below par. The NRV could be restricting fuel flow and should not be needed. Get the modulation checked should be between 45% and 55% with warm engine. Any more than that FIP is retarded.
 
First thing to do is a fuel flow test to see if your pump output is below par. The NRV could be restricting fuel flow and should not be needed. Get the modulation checked should be between 45% and 55% with warm engine. Any more than that FIP is retarded.
That sounds complicated or do I just detached the fuel line and collect in a container for 30 secs and see how much is collected?

My suposition of the pump being the problem stems from the fact to start now needs glowplugs once, then turn over with no intention of starting, glowplugs second time and will generally start third or fourth turn but if the battery seems a little tired will repeat process third time and generally starts first turn. Stop start wasn't a problem but has become so over the last couple of weeks.

Have had her for 18months and only for the last 4 months starting has been a problem, hence new glow plugs but starting seems to be getting worse.
 
Suppose you have done all the usual things, change spill pipes check for air in clear pipe Etc. Remove fuel pipe from filter place in measuring jug. With ignition off, take wire from battery positive and touch pin 5 on fuel pump relay 12 socket for 10 seconds exactly. Pin 5 is the one orientated contrary to the other three. After that time you should have at least 180 ml of fuel in the jug. If not pump is duff or something is restricting flow. Like an NRV or sludge in bottom of tank blocking pick up filter for instance. Is the lift pump working at all, sounds like it may not be? Have you checked fuse 39 to see if it is intact, engine will run happily without lift pump working at all. But there will a loss of power, most markedly on hills and bad starting on a low tank. If you have retarded timing that will also add to the problems.
 
Hi Wammers,

Yes I have renewed spill pipes and checked clear pipes is free of bubbles. Will have a go at what you have suggested tomorrow (but daughters birthday party) so might have to wait until one evening next week.

Thanks though.
 
there is a 3rd option for in tank pump rather than cutting the floor or removing the tank, mine has a facet cube electric pump in line under the bonnet due to the solid state technology more reliable than the cheap britpart pump also cheaper!
and thanks to wammers flow test figures it does pump out the right amount of fuel!
was like it when i bought it but searching bmw car forums it is quite common especially for those wanting to run veg oil as the standard electric pump wont take it but these will.
if it has a hot start kit fitted then likely that the injection pump timing needs to be advanced if you search some of my previous threads you will find a cheap way of buying the tools.
 
Thanks Guys,

Have checked the output of fuel from the fuel line and had at least 250ml diesel in the bottle. Also checked the current to the pump about 1A for a short period of time then went off, reached pressure?

Unfortunately the new glow plugs where britpart. So back to the glow plugs I suppose and a recommended make for them? Will have to read up checking current to them, fuse first I suppose? Also only on for about 5-8 seconds?

Cheers Guys must go and tie balloon animals now......
 
Thanks Guys,

Have checked the output of fuel from the fuel line and had at least 250ml diesel in the bottle. Also checked the current to the pump about 1A for a short period of time then went off, reached pressure?

Unfortunately the new glow plugs where britpart. So back to the glow plugs I suppose and a recommended make for them? Will have to read up checking current to them, fuse first I suppose? Also only on for about 5-8 seconds?

Cheers Guys must go and tie balloon animals now......

Can you please send a postal order for half the cost of the new fuel pump i just saved for you. Get the pump modulation checked and if out pump re timed. :D:D
 
Last edited:
Thanks Guys,

Have checked the output of fuel from the fuel line and had at least 250ml diesel in the bottle. Also checked the current to the pump about 1A for a short period of time then went off, reached pressure?

Unfortunately the new glow plugs where britpart. So back to the glow plugs I suppose and a recommended make for them? Will have to read up checking current to them, fuse first I suppose? Also only on for about 5-8 seconds?

Cheers Guys must go and tie balloon animals now......

Get Beru or Delphi. If you have hot start fitted it can knacker cheap glows up in no time. 5 to 8 seconds is long enough.
 
Thanks Wammers, half a postal order in the post..... Have order some new delphi glow plugs today. Will feed back if they make a difference will then pursue doing something about the pump.
 
Hi All, particularly Wammers, I eventually changed the glow plugs yesterday and it has just leapt in to life this morning, so very pleased. Changed to Delphi plugs and did it quite quickly second me around!

Big Thank you.
 
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